BD journalist lands US study visit

A journalist with the Nation Media Group has earned a two-week training programme in the United States, courtesy of the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board.

BY KNEB, PRESS RELEASE

Advertisement

August 8, 2014 -- A journalist with the Nation Media Group has earned a two-week training programme in the United States, courtesy of the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board.

Mr Allan Odhiambo Akombo of the Business Daily newspaper emerged first in the nuclear energy category during the Energy Journalism Excellence Awards held in April 2014.

The inaugural Energy Journalism Excellence Awards (EJEA) was organized by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and the parastatals within its ambit to recognize excellence and encourage reporting on energy issues in Kenya.

Mr Odhiambo, who jets out to the USA this weekend, will benefit from a fully sponsored training programme run by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the Argonne National Laboratory located in Chicago, Illinois in the USA. The topnotch training institution is a multidisciplinary science and engineering research centre.

“This is a testament to the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board’s commitment to ensure journalists have the knowledge and specialized training to report effectively and comprehensively on the issue of nuclear energy,” Mr Ayacko said.

The training covers various aspects of nuclear energy and provides participants with a wholesome understanding and appreciation of the industry, including the latest trends, developments and achievements worldwide.

“This is just one step in a broad ranging partnership with the media to improve and increase dissemination of information about nuclear energy for electricity generation, especially in Kenya,” Hon Ayacko added.

The Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board is currently developing the framework geared at ensuring nuclear energy generation by 2022. Among the activities being undertaken by KNEB are technical feasibility studies, site surveys to identify locations for nuclear power plants in Kenya, development of the legal and regulatory framework and public and stakeholder education and sensitization.

In addition, KNEB is developing the human resources capacity required for Kenya’s nuclear power programme with ten students currently studying Nuclear Power Engineering in South Korea.